Union Commonwealth Selects Morris as New Head Baseball Coach

(Story provided by Union Commonwealth Sports Communications)

BARBOURVILLE, Ky. – Union Commonwealth University Athletics has announced the hiring of Braxton Morris as the next head coach of the Bulldog baseball program.

Morris brings a strong combination of elite playing experience and a proven track record of developing high-powered offenses at the NCAA Division I level.

A 2018 graduate of Morehead State University with a degree in Sports Management, Morris was one of the most accomplished players in program history. A four-year starting middle infielder, he helped lead the Eagles to two conference championships and graduated as the winningest player in program history.

Morris finished his career with a .333 batting average and ranks third all-time in career hits at Morehead State, while also holding the second-most hits in a single season. During his standout 2018 campaign, he ranked seventh in NCAA Division I with 25 doubles and ninth nationally with 98 hits.

Morris most recently served as head coach at the University of Tennessee Southern during the 2025-26 season, where he led the program to its highest win total since 2023. Under his leadership, the team secured four wins over Top 25 opponents and set a program record for stolen bases, finishing the regular season ranked 16th nationally. The team also produced four All-Conference selections.

Prior to his time at Tennessee Southern, Morris spent the 2024-25 season at High Point University as Assistant Coach and Director of Operations. There, he played a key role in a record-setting season in which the Panthers posted the most wins in program history. Working primarily with infielders and hitters while overseeing baseball operations, Morris helped guide an offense that ranked among the nation's best, including No. 1 in hits, runs, and on-base percentage, No. 2 in home runs and doubles, and No. 4 in batting average. The team also earned nine All-Conference honors.

Morris also served as Director of Player Development at USC Upstate during the 2023-24 season. The Spartans tied the program record for wins and fielded one of the top 30 offenses in NCAA Division I. The team set program records in hits, RBIs, doubles, and home runs, while matching a program-best with nine All-Conference selections.

Earlier in his career, Morris gained experience at the University of Florida (2022-23) and the University of Louisiana Lafayette (2020-21) as a defensive and recruiting analyst, working primarily with defense. While at Louisiana, the Ragin' Cajuns captured back-to-back Sun Belt Conference championships, compiled a 23-2 record over two seasons, and finished the 2021 campaign ranked No. 15 nationally following a 13-game winning streak.

"Braxton Morris had a passion and vision from the start of this process that was exactly what we were looking for in our baseball program at Union Commonwealth University," said Vice President of Athletics Clay Butler. "He understands the importance of building relationships, recruiting the right student-athletes, and building a culture of accountability and success. We look forward to the energy and leadership he brings to Union baseball and our campus community."

Morris now takes the helm of a Union program looking to build on its foundation and compete at a high level within the Appalachian Athletic Conference.